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Passerelles ep. 1, Quiz 32: c’est que

    Do you know “ce que”, “de tout ça”, “c’est que”, and “selon”? Can you hear them all in this moderately fast clip? Take a listen and test your ear with these important colloquial expressions! Choose your level and fill in the blanks, daily with our dictées of French in real life!

    This clip is from Passerelles Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Listen to the full episode here.

    10 seconds, 22 words

    This audio sample and transcription is from Passerelles ep. 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode

    the fact is

    What’s opening up for you with this clip?

    The snippet in English

    Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?

    Ce que je retiens de tout ça, c’est que le rituel d’anniversaire varie selon les époques, selon les peuples et les cultures.

    What I’ve learned from all this is that birthday rituals vary according to time, people and cultures.

    The above translation from Deepl. Source

    What does “ce que” mean?

    “Ce que” is a French phrase that serves as a relative pronoun, and it can be translated to “what,” “that which,” or “the thing that” in English. It plays an important role in connecting a main clause to a subordinate clause and helps provide additional information or context about a specific thing or idea.

    Relative Pronoun: “Ce que” is used as a relative pronoun to introduce a subordinate clause that functions as the direct object of the main clause. It refers back to a specific thing or idea mentioned in the main clause. Example: “J’aime ce que tu fais.” (I like what you’re doing.)

    Variety of Uses: “Ce que” can be used in various contexts to refer to people, things, ideas, or actions. Example: “Ce que tu dis m’intéresse.” (What you’re saying interests me.)

    Difference from “Ce qui”: While “ce que” is used to introduce a subordinate clause functioning as a direct object, “ce qui” is used to introduce a subordinate clause functioning as a subject.

    Example: “Ce que tu fais est impressionnant.” (What you’re doing is impressive.) “Ce qui m’impressionne, c’est ton talent.” (What impresses me is your talent.)

    Common in Conversational French: “Ce que” is frequently used in everyday conversations to provide clarity and add details to statements. Example: “Dis-moi ce que tu penses.” (Tell me what you think.)

    Overall, “ce que” is an important relative pronoun in French, allowing speakers to link main clauses with specific information in subordinate clauses. It helps convey complex ideas and connect thoughts in a clear and concise manner.

    What does “de tout ça” mean?

    “De tout ça” is a French expression that translates to “of all that,” “of all this,” or “about all of this” in English. It combines the preposition “de” (of, about) with the demonstrative pronoun “tout ça” (all that, all this).

    The expression is used to refer back to a group of things or ideas that have been previously mentioned or discussed. It can also be used to sum up or give an overview of a larger set of things or situations. In casual or informal speech, “de tout ça” is often used to refer to a collection of things without specifying each individual element.

    For example:

    • “J’ai entendu parler de ce projet, mais je ne sais pas encore de tout ça.” (I’ve heard about this project, but I don’t know all about it.)
    • “Il y a eu des problèmes avec le projet, des retards dans la livraison des matériaux, des désaccords entre les membres de l’équipe, bref, de tout ça.” (There have been problems with the project, delays in material delivery, disagreements among team members, in short, all of that.)

    “De tout ça” is a versatile expression commonly used in everyday conversations and informal writing to add clarity and emphasis to a discussion. It allows speakers to refer to a group of things collectively and provide a summary or general statement about them. Additionally, “de tout cela” is a more formal alternative to “de tout ça,” and both expressions have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably in most contexts.

    What does “c’est que” mean?

    “C’est que” is a common French expression used to introduce an explanation or a reason for something that has been said or that will be said. It can be translated to “the thing is,” “the fact is,” or “it’s just that” in English. The expression is used to provide clarification or justification for a statement or action. It is often followed by a comma, and the explanation comes after the expression.

    For example: “Je suis désolé, c’est que je suis très occupé ces jours-ci.” (I’m sorry, the thing is, I’m very busy these days.)

    “C’est que” can be used to emphasize a point or to give more weight to the explanation being provided. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and has a relatively informal tone. However, it is not typically used in very formal or academic writing.

    In summary, “c’est que” is a versatile and frequently used expression in French, allowing speakers to provide further context and elaboration to their statements in a natural and conversational manner.

    What does “selon” mean?

    “Selon” is a French preposition meaning “according to” or “depending on.” It attributes information or opinions to specific sources, such as experts, books, studies, or authorities. For instance, “Selon les experts, il est préférable de dormir au moins 7 heures par nuit” translates to “According to the experts, it is preferable to sleep at least 7 hours per night.”

    “Selon” is commonly used in news reports, academic writing, and everyday conversations. It can be repeated in a sentence to indicate two different sources or perspectives, for example: “Selon le rapport, le projet sera terminé dans un an. Selon les circonstances, cela pourrait prendre plus de temps,” meaning “According to the report, the project will be completed in a year. Depending on the circumstances, it could take more time.”

    Overall, “selon” is a versatile preposition in French, allowing speakers to attribute information and provide context and authority to their statements.

    What does “les peuples” mean?

    “Les peuples” is a French term that translates to “the peoples” or “the nations” in English. It refers to distinct groups of people who share common cultural, historical, and sometimes geographical traits. In a broader sense, “les peuples” can represent various ethnic, cultural, or national communities around the world. It emphasizes the diversity and richness of different human societies and their unique characteristics.

    In historical and sociological contexts, “les peuples” can be used to describe indigenous communities, ethnic groups, or nationalities. It highlights the importance of recognizing and preserving cultural heritage and identity.

    On the other hand, “les gens” refers to “the people” in English. It has a more general and inclusive meaning, encompassing all individuals regardless of their specific cultural, ethnic, or national backgrounds. “Les gens” refers to humanity as a whole and includes everyone without distinction.

    While both “les peuples” and “les gens” refer to groups of people, “les peuples” focuses on distinct cultural or national communities, while “les gens” is more all-encompassing, referring to people in a broader sense, without specific cultural or national affiliations.

    In summary, “les peuples” and “les gens” both refer to groups of people, but “les peuples” emphasizes specific cultural or national communities, while “les gens” is a more general term referring to people as a collective whole.

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    Do you know “ce que”, “de tout ça”, “c’est que”, and “selon”? Can you hear them all in this moderately fast clip? Take a listen and test your ear with these important colloquial expressions! Choose your level and fill in the blanks, daily with our dictées of French in real life!

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